GKN heavy duty shaft and CV [Archive]

greasysmitty

09-27-2005, 09:32 PM

Anybody have experience with these? I've got a project coming up and I'm trying to figure out where I'm going with it. The truck will be a series II 109". Engine conversion to a significantly heavier/ more powerful block. Question is, does anyone have experience with heavy duty axles for the original rover axles, namely the Great Basin Rover 24 spline front axles found here:

http://www.greatbasinrovers.com/axle.html#xtm24splne

I know the heavy duty rears are 1.25" OD; this puts them almost at the OD of a Dana 44, and with it being a full floating design, it would probably be on par.

GBR doesn't list specs for the front. I've heard things about the U-joints being weak (obviously can only be so big with the closed knuckle. Plus the stuff about the original axle being antiquated anyway. HOWEVER... in theory, I'd like to stick with leaf springs and the original axles... but only if they'd work. Could the front be upgraded to ~ D44 strength? Would be running probably 33's, definitely a locker, and a low (~ 70:1) crawl... ideally. Idea is for an "expedition style" rover... the kind that you wheel with finesse, not raw power or clearance. But not so much finesse that BANG! your u-joints or knuckles are busting all the time :(

I'd consider a toy or dana swap if necessary, but I really like the 5 on 6.5" pattern and would love to stay with a closed knuckle. Barring that, maybe 8 bolts would be good. I'd rather stay away from a D60 front; just too much weight and too little clearance if I stick with less than 35's.

Advice wanted... :smokin:


Pirate4x4.Com > Brand Specific Tech > Land Rover > GKN heavy duty shaft and CV PDA : GKN heavy duty shaft and CV erez 09-22-2005, 02:20 PM Hi, I understand that GKN have new heavy duty half shafts and CV joints - does anyone here have experience with them? I can't seem to find a link to their site on the net - anyone have it? Thanks, Erez greasysmitty 09-27-2005, 09:32 PM Anybody have experience with these? I've got a project coming up and I'm trying to figure out where I'm going with it. The truck will be a series II 109". Engine conversion to a significantly heavier/ more powerful block. Question is, does anyone have experience with heavy duty axles for the original rover axles, namely the Great Basin Rover 24 spline front axles found here: http://www.greatbasinrovers.com/axle.html#xtm24splne I know the heavy duty rears are 1.25" OD; this puts them almost at the OD of a Dana 44, and with it being a full floating design, it would probably be on par. GBR doesn't list specs for the front. I've heard things about the U-joints being weak (obviously can only be so big with the closed knuckle. Plus the stuff about the original axle being antiquated anyway. HOWEVER... in theory, I'd like to stick with leaf springs and the original axles... but only if they'd work. Could the front be upgraded to ~ D44 strength? Would be running probably 33's, definitely a locker, and a low (~ 70:1) crawl... ideally. Idea is for an "expedition style" rover... the kind that you wheel with finesse, not raw power or clearance. But not so much finesse that BANG! your u-joints or knuckles are busting all the time :( I'd consider a toy or dana swap if necessary, but I really like the 5 on 6.5" pattern and would love to stay with a closed knuckle. Barring that, maybe 8 bolts would be good. I'd rather stay away from a D60 front; just too much weight and too little clearance if I stick with less than 35's. Advice wanted... :smokin: